Week wrap

Auctions & Fixed Price Baits

This week marked the final run before a short break, wrapping up with two lure auctions and a small release of fixed price baits. A solid mix of handcrafted timber lures went out, each one a reflection of where things are currently sitting in terms of design, refinement, and on-water intent.

Leading the charge were the two wakebaits, the Ghost Wake and the slim wakebait variant. Both built around the same core idea of surface presence, but each offering a different feel in the water. The Ghost carried that clean wake profile, while the slim version leaned into a tighter, more controlled action, making it a versatile crossover lure suited to multiple species and conditions.

Alongside the wakebaits, a sets of bass walkers went through as a yin yang combo. Opposing in look, but matched in purpose.  A balance of contrast, symmetry, and function. These topwater lures continue to prove themselves as a time-tested design to produce that signature walk and click that draws fish in.

The fixed price release rounded things out, with a handful of these bass walkers timber finding their way to new owners. As always, these smaller runs are a chance to keep things moving while still focusing on quality over quantity.

From a lure building perspective, this week was a good snapshot of progression,  refining existing designs like the wakebait series, while continuing to experiment with variations in profile, action, and application.

With the out of office about to kick in, things will slow down on the release front. There’s still plenty happening at the bench, testing, tweaking, and quietly building toward what’s next.

As always, appreciate the support from those who jumped into the auctions and picked up a bait

Shou Sugi Ban char lure

 A New Direction at the Bench

Inspiration doesn’t always come from within the fishing space. Sometimes it shows up in everyday surroundings, and this time it came from a house being built just behind us. The builders were using Shou Sugi Ban cladding, and it immediately stood out. The depth, texture, and contrast of that charred timber finish is hard to ignore — raw, refined, and full of character all at once.

It got me thinking about how that same approach could translate into lure design.

Shou Sugi Ban, for those unfamiliar, is a traditional Japanese timber preservation and finishing technique where the surface of the wood is charred to enhance durability while bringing out a unique grain pattern. It’s commonly used in architecture, but applying it to handcrafted timber lures isn’t something you see every day.

Naturally, the question was — why not try it?

The challenge was finding the right balance. In lure building, appearance is only one part of the equation. The finish still needs to hold up to water, impact, and repeated use. I wanted to retain that authentic burnt timber character, with all its texture and visual depth, while still sealing the lure properly with a protective epoxy clear coat.

After a bit of trial and adjustment, it came together. The result is something that feels quite different in the hand — slightly raw in appearance, but still clean and durable where it needs to be. The char brings out a natural pattern that paint simply can’t replicate, giving the lure a distinct identity without overcomplicating it.

This is the first time I’ve used this kind of timber finishing technique in my builds, and like anything new, it raises a few questions. How will it hold up over time? Will the finish maintain its integrity after repeated sessions? Does the altered surface have any subtle effect on lure performance in the water?

There’s only one way to answer those questions.

The next step is to get it out on the water for proper lure testing. That’s always where theory meets reality. You can shape, build, and refine all you like at the bench, but until a lure swims, tracks, and responds under real conditions, the process isn’t complete.

My feeling is this won’t be the last time I experiment with Shou Sugi Ban in lure construction. There’s something about the balance of tradition, function, and aesthetics that fits well within the broader philosophy of keeping things simple but purposeful.

For now, it’s a matter of putting it through its paces.

Time will tell.

At the Bench

Well, Really the Glue-Up Desk

There are plenty of moments in lure building that look exciting from the outside — shaping timber, painting patterns, testing a new design on the water. But the reality is that a large part of the process happens in the quieter stages, and today was one of those days. Not at the shaping bench, not in the paint booth, but at what I call the glue-up desk.

This stage is where the individual components of a handcrafted timber lure start to come together. After the cutting, shaping, and preparing of the individual pieces, the focus shifts to assembly, alignment, and bonding. It might sound simple, but this part of the lure building process is critical. If things aren’t straight, balanced, and seated correctly at this stage, it will show up later in the lure action and swimming performance.

Over the last little while I’ve been slowly bringing a handful of custom fishing baits together. Nothing rushed, nothing forced — just steady progress as each lure moves through the early construction stages. Timber selection, body alignment, and making sure everything sits exactly where it needs to before the adhesive sets. With timber lure construction, patience is everything.

The goal with this current batch is to have them ready just in time for what many anglers know as the end-of-season big bite. As the water temperatures shift and fish begin feeding differently, it can be one of the most rewarding windows of the year for lure fishing. Having a few fresh handmade fishing lures ready for that period always adds a bit of excitement.

If everything goes to plan, these custom timber lures should be ready and available next week. As always, I prefer to take the time needed to get things right rather than rush them out the door.

For those interested in picking one up, keep an eye on this page over the coming days. I’ll be sharing more lure release details, updates from the bench, and a closer look at the finished handcrafted fishing baits as they move through the final stages.